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RRE Ventures CERTIFIED

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FIRM OVERVIEW: Medium Private VC founded in 1994 based out of New York, USA (US East)

FIRM DESCRIPTION: Since its founding in 1994, RRE Ventures has been dedicated to helping talented management teams build industry-leading companies. We focus on rapidly growing markets in the software, communications, media-related and financial services industries. We back entrepreneurs and management teams that possess the industry knowledge, vision, and discipline to create market-dominating companies. Our team brings a unique combination of management, operations, and investment expertise, as well as an unrivaled network of relationships, to help our entrepreneurs drive growth.
At RRE, we have one mission...to help entrepreneurs build great companies.

Pitched them and one partner said he loved it but didn't have time to work on it. We met with another partner, who promised to start making calls and working on it and would get back to us soon. Never heard back. They kept saying they understood our opportunity but clearly had no intention of investing.

Pitched these guys after a very warm intro. Pitches went excellent and they said they wanted to begin preliminary due diligence before getting a term sheet over.

Followed up a few times asking what they needed to get started on the due diligence, no response. Followed up again, no response.

They just went totally dark. At least have the balls and class to send a quick pass email.

In any case, we're having the last laugh, having raised 2 rounds from far superior investors, with more user traction than most of their early stage portfolio. And we're grateful they aren't involved given some of the scary stories we've heard from some of their portfolio company CEOs who've hit rough patches.

RRE assisted my former company in two important ways:
1. as a sounding board - openly available to challenge and work out ideas (to help bake them)
2. as a voice of reason and sanity - JR III had the credibility and presence to stabilize some contentious board meetings

Having JR III on the board had an impact opening doors and physically when he attended board mtgs. On the other hand, when was unable to physically attend or even dial-in, there was a different tone to the meetings.

Posted by
Screenie
on 2007-09-15

PUBLIC:

I've met several times with Alexa DuPont. She's always been available, had intelligent thoughts, up front and timely with RRE's level of interest, and has even been great connecting me with others I needed to know. She's a huge asset to the firm and overall a highlight in the VC industry.

Posted by
Rodger Desai
on 2007-05-12

PUBLIC:

RRE has a lot to offer beyond a typical VC. They are on the boards of traditional startups but also well known public companies. They are very active in helping their companies... recruiting, business development, marketing... but also just fun people to hang with. I've wanted to work with them for a while and now have that opportunity after Stuart Ellman invested in Rave Wireless a year ago. I would easily work with them on other deals. Other points to consider: (1) they work well with other VCs, (2) they are in NYC which gives them a set of relationships that go beyond technology related ones, and (3) the partners get along well and seem to love working together - which is not always common.

We were introduced to them by an LP in their fund. We pitched them, they said they needed to do diligence and connected us to their portfolio company which we ended up signing as a customer. We shared our data-room with them as they asked to take a deeper look. Then they told us there was a conflict...which they should've known at the outset. Wasted our time.

Jim Robinson is a pretty stellar guy and RRE has a solid reputation but they really are not very good at sorting through opportunities. It seems as though RRE has a very difficult time knowing what they really want to invest in and tend to want to look at just about anything. It is challenging to get to a quick NO which is often times far more valuable then a long MAYBE. If you can engage Jim then things definately move along more quickly. I would be careful who you have join your board from this group as it doesn't seem as though the bench is stock with stellar, well-connected individuals.

Posted by
ericc
on 2007-08-17

PUBLIC:

RRE has strong relationships with most Fortune 50 players. If you're selling or partnering with these companies, RRE can be a great asset and is proactive in reaching out. They also move more quickly than most VCs I've worked with. If you have the right opportunity, you will be heard and get an answer quickly. Our entire series A process closed in just over a month. Once RRE is in your court, they will be a strong partner during subsequent financings.

Posted by
Active Athlete
on 2007-05-31

PUBLIC:

These guys are pros. They are really sharp. I've worked with them a couple of times and they add real value. Most VC's promise big rolodexes but these guys deliver. They ask tough questions and make you a better CEO. People would be lucky to have them involved. Personally work with Stuart and Andy, both are awesome.

I've worked with RRE on several rounds and have always been impressed with their speed of response and professionalism. As a software start-up that deals with consumer packaged goods companies, they are one of the few VCs that understand that space and are always willing to provide their contacts and resources to help you succeed. Will Porteous is an excellent board member.

Posted by
boblefort
on 2007-05-11

PUBLIC:

RRE is a Board member for my company and they have been extremely constructive. In some particularly difficult funding discussions they took the lead and aligned other investors. They also have strong business understanding and are able to provide good strategic insight for strengthening the balance sheet.
I have found the entire organization to be enthusiastic and supportive of our efforts.

Pitched to 20 firms in Q406 and founded RRE to by far the most knowledgeable in security space. Partners came to my offices on other side of country twice and entire partner team met with me in New York. They were open and honest in their feedback and where they thought they could help our business after coming on board. Since closing the round, they have been extremely proactive in helping generate business and leveraging their industry contacts.